Container replacement system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for enabling the replacement of containerized processing solutions in a photographic processor in a convenient manner and without leakage of the solutions. When replacement is desired the operator raises vertically slidable door to gain access to processing containers in the processor. Upward movement of the door causes an upward movement of access equipment mechanically coupled to the door, which equipment provides contact with the processing containers and access to the solutions therein. An initial upward movement of the door retracts an access tube, through which the processing solution is pumped, to the top of each container. Each access tube has a conically shaped plug at its end, and further upward movement of each access tube causes the conically shaped plug to seal off an outlet of the access equipment through which the chemical solutions might leak. Still further upward movement of each access tube causes the access equipment to move up to a position completely clear of all the processing containers. At that point the vertically slidable door is completely open. The processing containers are located on a horizontally slidable drawer which is slided out of the machine through the open door. The processing containers are then removed from the drawer and replaced with new containers with fresh processing solutions.

' United States Patent Cunha et al.

154] CONTAINER REPLACEMENT SYSTEM [72] Inventors: Harold Cuuha,Pittslord; James-A. Kostrzewski, Rochester, both of N.Y.'

[73] Assignee: ltek Corporation, Lexington, Mass. [22] Filed: July 8,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 160,853

52 us. Cl. ..141/37s,'141/3s7, 222/109, r v 1 222/325 [51] lm. c1..."...B65b 1/04, G01f 1 1/00 [58] Field of Search ..l4l/l8, 263, 264, 270,275, 141/276, 277, 278, 279, 28, 283, 284,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 926,550 6/1909 Dafoe..l4l/387 2,086,832 7/1937 Vinkent ...222/325 3,236,418 2/1966 Dalle eta1. ..222/325 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorneyl-lomer 0.Blair et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for enabling the replacement of containerizedprocessing solutions in a photographic processor in a convenient mannerand without leakage of the solutions. When replacement is desired theoperator raises vertically slidable door to gain access to processingcontainers in the processor. Upward movement of the door causes anupward movement of access equipment mechanically coupled to the door,which equipment provides contact with the processing containers andaccess to the solutions therein. A n initial upward movement of the doorretracts an access tube, through which the processing I solution ispumped, to the top of each container. Each'access tube has a conicallyshaped plug at its end, and further upward movement of each access tubecauses the conically shaped plug to seal off an outlet of theaccess-equipment through which the chemical solutions might leak. Stillfurther upward movement of each access tube causes the access equipmentto move up to a position completely clear of all the processingcontainers. At that point the vertically slidable door is completelyopen. The processing containers are located on a horizontally slidabledrawer which is slided out of the machine through the open door. Theprocessing containers are then removed from the drawer and replaced withnew containers with fresh processing solutions.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TTO PUMP 3,698,454 [451 Oct.17, 1972 SHEET2 BF 2 TTO PUMP Ham/a Can/7a James A. Kosfrze ws/r/f ATTORNEY.

. t 1 CONTAINER REPLACEMENT SYSTEM BACKGROUND or rns INVENTION processorthey were manually attached toaccess equipment, and then verticallytipped to allow gravity feed of the contents to the processing trays ofthe unit. If replacementof the processing containers were desired theoperator tilted the processing containers back' into a verticalposition, and then manually removed the access equipment with muchresultant leakage of the solutions from the access equipment. Thisarrangement was obviously unsatisfactory as it resulted in much spilledprocessing solutions in and around the photographicprocessor whichcaused a messy processor and much inconvenience to the operator whooften had processing solution spilled onto his apparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with .a preferred embodiment, asystem is disclosedfor replacing containerized fluids in a machinewherein substantially no fluid is spilled during replacement of thefluid containers. Further the preferred embodiment provides areplacement system wherein insertion of a container into the machineautomatically positions the machine relative to the container such thatthe contents of the container are ready for immediate use in themachine. Also the preferred embodiment provides a machine with a fluidcontainer replacement system which automatically seals itself to preventleakage in the machine during replacement'of the containers. Further,the preferred embodiment provides a container replacement system in amachine wherein the opening of a door in the machine to gain access tothe container automatically withdraws access equipment in the machinefrom contact with the container and seals off fluid passageways in theaccess equipment such that the container may be readily removed withoutleakage of fluid, and closure of the door automatically positions theaccess equipment in the machine relative to the container such that themachine may immediately utilize the contents of the container. Further,the fluid container replacement system is so designed that all fluidpassageways in the access equipment remain sealed if the door is closedwithout the placement of containers in the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of aphotographic processor showing apparatus for enabling the replacement ofcontainerized processing solutions in the processor.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of access equipment in the processorin intimate contact with a container of processing fluid.

FIG. 3 is a view of the same equipment illustrated in FIG. 2 but withthe access equipment withdrawn from the container. 7 DESCRIPTION OFPREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates'a partial view of a photographicprocessor -10 showing apparatus for enabling the replacement ofcontainerized processing solutions in the processor. Theprocessorincludes a horizontally slidable drawer 12 which slides into and outof'the processor 'on runners15 along the direction of arrow 14.. Thedrawer includes a gripping aperture 16 for.

enabling an operator'to easily slide the drawer. The illustratedembodiment utilizes two different types of processing fluids locatedin'containers 18, each {of which fits into a container receptacle 20 toaccurately position it relative to the drawer. When drawer 12 is fullyinserted into the processor, a vertically'slidable 20 door 22 isprovided to close off the aperture 23 through which the drawer l2slides. Vertically slidable door 22 includes a handle 23 for theconvenience of the operator, and slides up and down in guides 24 alongthe direction of arrow 25. An electrical switch not shown,

25 may be mechanically connected to the door to turn off the pumps-within the processor which pump the processing solutions out of thecontainers in the event the door is inadvertently opened while theprocessor is in operation.v A schematically illustrated frame 26 is 30mechanically attached to door 22 for vertical movement with the door,and supports two pieces of access equipment 28, described in more detailin FIGS. 2 and 3 v FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the accessequip-- ment 28, shown broadly in FIG. 1, in intimate contact of theprocessing container 18, and which includes a plurality of apertures 32located at the bottom of the tube. Processing solution in the containeris pumped through aperture 32, into access tube 30, and then up into aprocessing tray of the processor. The access tube 30 has a sealing meansin the form of a conical plug 34 located at its bottom which is drawn upinto intimate contact with lower lip 36 of an access unit 38 when theaccess tube is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 3. Although aconical plug is illustrated as the sealing means in the preferredembodiment, the sealing means might be designed with other alternativeconfigurations. The access unit 38 includes a drain aperture 40 toallowprocessing solution from the processing tray to cess unit 38 has aseal 42 located. around tube 30 to retain processing solution below seal42. An annular weight 44 is positioned on top of access unit .38, andfunctions to provide a downward force on access unit 38 and also tocorrectly position access tube 30 relative to the access unit and seal42. As access tube 30 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3 from theposition illustrated in FIG. 2, the access unit. will remain in astationary position in contact with the container under the influence ofannular weight 44 until the sealing plug 34 comes into direct contactwith the lower lip 36 of access unit 38. It should be noted that. seal42 functionsto wipe processing solution from the surface of the accessbe returned back to the processing container 18. Ac-

tube as the access tube slides relative to the access unit to preventprocessing solution from leaking through the top of the access unit. Aplurality of screws 46 are positioned around the lip of the containerand extend through the access unit 38 to secure the annular weight 44relative to access unit 38. The heads of the screws also function toprovideair spaces between access unit 38 and the container to allow airto enter the container 18 as processing fluid is pumped out of thecontainer through access tube 30.

The manner in which the containerized fluids are replaced will now beexplained. The operator of the processor would normally replace theprocessing solutions in the processor after the machine is used for agiven time interval or after a given amount of photographic materialshave been processed in the machines.

When replacement of the processing solutions is,

desired, the operator lifts door 22 to the open position illustrated inFIG. l. An initial opening movement of door 22 lifts access tube 30vertically out of the container 18 until conical plug 34 comes intocontact with lower lip 36 of the access unit. At that point sealing plug34 seals off the bottom of the access unit while the access unit isstill within the top of the container. After that point furtherretraction of tube 30, caused by a further upward movement of door 22,moves the whole access unit 38 upward to the position illustrated inFIG. 3. In that position the access unit is sealed by plug 34 to preventprocessing solution from draining out the bottom of the access unit, andis sealed by seal 42 to prevent solution from leaking out the top of theaccess unit. After the door 22 is fully opened the operator slides outdrawer 12 to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The processingcontainers 18 are then replaced by containers with fresh processingsolutions. The operator then slides tray 12 fully into the processor andpulls down vertically slidable door 22. An initial downward movement ofdoor 22 moves access unit 38 down until screws 46 just contact the upperlip of processing container 18. Further downward movement of door 22moves access tube 30 down into the container 18 until the access holes32 are positioned adjacent to the bottom of the container.

It should be noted that the access equipment is so designed that if thedoor is closed without the placement of containers in the machine thenthe access unit will not contact a processing container and the accessunit will remain sealed.

The illustrated embodiment of the processor utilizes two different typesof processing solutions. In other embodiments the access equipment mightbe used in processors requiring replacement of only one processingcontainer or more than two processing containers. Also, although theaccess equipment has been described in one embodiment with reference toa photographic processor, it should be appreciated that the illustratedcontainer replacement system may be utilized in other types of machineryhaving fluid recirculating systems wherein periodic replacement ofcontainerized fluids in the machine is desired. Further, although theapertures in the accesstube are above the conically shaped plugsuch'that sealing off of the access unit also seals off leakage from theaccess tube, in embodiments wherein leakage from the access tube is nota problem the aperture in the access tube might be provided below theconically shaped plug. Also, although the preferred embodiment moves theaccess unit into and away from contact with the containers, embodimentsmight be desired wherein the access unit is fixed at one positionadjacent to the container. While several embodiments have beendescribed, the teachings of this invention will suggest many otherembodiments to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for replacing a container having an opening in a machinefor utilization of the contents of the container, and comprising:

a. an access unit positioned adjacent to the container for providingaccess to the contents of the container, said access unit having anaperture located therein; I b. an access tube projecting through saidaperture in said access unit and being movable relative to the accessunit, said access tube including a first end with at least one apertureand a sealing means, said aperture providing access to the contents ofthe container through the access tube and said sealing means beingprovided to seal off the aperture in said access unit when said sealingmeans is contacting said access unit; 0. means for inserting said accesstube in the container by moving said access tube relative to said accessunit, whereby the machine has access to the contents of the containerthrough said aperture in the access tube; and d. means for withdrawingsaid access tube from the container by moving said access tube relativeto said access unit until said sealing means contacts said aperture inthe access unit to seal off the access unit, whereby the container maybe readily removed from the machine while the access unit is sealed off.2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and including means for positioningsaid access unit and said access tube at a first position adjacent tothe opening in the container whereat said access tube may be insertedinto the container, and at a second position away from the container,whereat the container may be freely removed from the machine withouthindrance by the access unit or access tube.

3. Apparatus as set'forth in claim 2 wherein said means for inserting,said means for withdrawal, and

said means for positioning comprise a single moving means for movingsaid access tube, said access unit being moved to said first positionwhereat it contacts the container around its opening by an initialmovement of said access tube to said first position, and furthermovement by said single moving means moving said access tube into thecontainer and relative to said access unit which is restricted againstfurther movement by contact with the container, and said single movingmeans withdrawing said access tube from the container with an initialmovement relative to said access unit until said sealing means contactssaid access unit, and further withdrawal of said access tube by saidsingle moving means causing-the sealing means to withdraw said accessunit from the container along with said access tube.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said machine includes apumping means for pumping the contents of the container out of thecontainer through said access tube, and means for returning the contentsto the container through the aperture in said access unit.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sealing means includesa conically shaped plug, and said aperture in the access unit is a roundhole.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said machine includes ahorizontally slidable drawer which is slidable into and out of themachine, said drawer having a container receptacle means for positioningthe container relative to the drawer and the machine,

whereby the container may be placed in the container said access tube.

8. Apparatus as set forth'in claim 7 wherein said processor and thecontainer machine is a photographic contains processing solution.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said machine includes avertically slidable door, and said single moving means includesamechanical mounting means for supporting said access tube for movementwith said vertically slidable door, whereby vertical

1. Apparatus for replacing a container having an opening in a machinefor utilization of the contents of the container, and comprising: a. anaccess unit positioned adjacent to the container for providing access tothe contents of the container, said access unit having an aperturelocated therein; b. an access tube projecting through said aperture insaid access unit and being movable relative to the access unit, saidaccess tube including a first end with at least one aperture and asealing means, said aperture providing access to the contents of thecontainer through the access tube and said sealing means being providedto seal off the aperture in said access unit when said sealing means iscontacting said access unit; c. means for inserting said access tube inthe container by moving said access tube relative to said access unit,whereby the machine has access to the contents of the container throughsaid aperture in the access tube; and d. means for withdrawing saidaccess tube from the container by moving said access tube relative tosaid access unit until said sealing means contacts said aperture in theaccess unit to seal off the access unit, whereby the container may bereadily removed from the machine while the access unit is sealed off. 2.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and including means for positioningsaid access unit and said access tube at a first position adjacent tothe opening in the container whereat said access tube may be insertedinto the container, and at a second position away from the container,whereat the container may be freely removed from the machine withouthindrance by the access unit or access tube.
 3. Apparatus as set forthin claim 2 wherein said means for inserting, said means for withdrawal,and said means for positioning comprise a single moving means for movingsaid access tube, said access unit being moved to said first positionwhereat it contacts the container around its opening by an initialmovement of said access tube to said first position, and furthermovement by said single moving means moving said access tube into thecontainer and relative to said access unit which is restricted againstfurther movement by contact with the container, and said single movingmeans withdrawing said access tube from the container with an initialmovement relative to said access unit until said sealing means contactssaid access unit, and further withdrawal of said access tube by saidsingle moving means causing the sealing means to withdraw said accessunit from the container along with said access tube.
 4. Apparatus as setforth in claim 3 wherein said machine includes a pumping means forpumping the contents of the container out of the container through saidaccess tube, and means for returning the contents to the containerthrough the aperture in said access unit.
 5. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 4 wherein said sealing means includes a conically shaped plug, andsaid aperture in the access unit is a round hole.
 6. Apparatus as setforth in claim 5 wherein said machine includes a horizontally slidabledrawer which is slidable into and out of the machine, said drawer havinga container receptacle means for positioning the container relative tothe drawer and the machine, whereby the container may be placed in thecontainer receptacle means.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid machine includes a vertically slidable door to provide access tosaid horizontally slidable drawer, and said single moving means includesa mechanical mounting means for supporting said access tube for movementwith said vertically slidable door, whereby vertical movement of saiddoor resuLts in vertical movement of said access tube.
 8. Apparatus asset forth in claim 7 wherein said machine is a photographic processorand the container contains processing solution.
 9. Apparatus as setforth in claim 3 wherein said machine includes a vertically slidabledoor, and said single moving means includes a mechanical mounting meansfor supporting said access tube for movement with said verticallyslidable door, whereby vertical movement of said door results invertical movement of said access tube.
 10. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said machine includes a pumping means for pumping thecontents of the container out of the container through said access tube,and means for returning the contents to the container through theaperture in said access unit.
 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said machine is a photographic processor and the containercontains processing solution.